Deployable Structure Length Control via Magnetic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable structures, such as tape measures in space equipment, face challenges in accurately controlling deployed length due to sensitivity to wear and dust interference in electromechanical components and difficulty in adapting to various configurations, especially over long deployment lengths.
Innovation Solution
A deployable device with a supporting structure and a deployed length control system comprising a sensor and computer linked to a conductive track forming coils, which measures electrical parameters to determine the deployed length without contact, occupying minimal bulk and weight, and adapting to different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromechanical components (brush potentiometer with reducing gear) are used to control deployed length, then measurement capability is provided, but the components are sensitive to wear and dust interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brush potentiometer system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnet is attached to the deployable structure, and a magnetic sensor on the support structure measures the magnetic field variations to determine deployed length. This eliminates mechanical contact, wear, and dust interference while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If additional structural elements and reducing gear are used in electromechanical components, then measurement function is achieved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system eliminates the need for reducing gears and complex mechanical transmission elements. The magnet and magnetic sensor directly provide measurement capability without intermediate mechanical components, significantly reducing device complexity and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary reducing gear and complex structural elements from the measurement system. Only the essential magnet and magnetic sensor remain, providing measurement function with minimal components.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical sensors are implemented for deployed length control, then measurement capability is provided, but adaptation to different deployable structure configurations becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system is universally applicable to different deployable structure configurations. The magnet can be attached to any deployable structure regardless of its specific configuration, and the magnetic sensor can measure the magnetic field variations for any configuration type, providing configuration-agnostic measurement capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides reliable, precise control of deployed length with minimal impact on existing structures, operating effectively over long lengths and various configurations, reducing wear and dust interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to measure an electrical parameter from the first electrically conductive track which varies with the deployed length of the deployable structure
Implementation Method 2
The deployment of the tape measures is ensured autonomously by the spontaneous unwinding thereof when the mandrel is free to rotate. The tape measures are known in the space field as being flexible tapes that have a section in the form of a circular arc whose radius of curvature is convex on a first face and concave on a second face, these tapes being able to switch from the wound state to the unwound state essentially by virtue of their own elastic energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable device includes a supporting structure, a deployable structure capable of switching from a configuration wound around a first axis to a configuration deployed according to a second axis substantially at right angles to the first axis, by being deployed by a length defined in a frame of reference of the supporting structure, wherein it further comprises a deployed length control device comprising a sensor and a computer linked to the sensor, a first conductive track electrically linked to the sensor extending on the deployable structure, substantially along the perimeter of the deployable structure, and forming one or more turns of a first coil in the wound configuration, and in that the sensor is configured to measure an electrical parameter from the first electrically conductive track which varies with the deployed length of the deployable structure and the computer is configured to determine the deployed length of the deployable structure.